Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study
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Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility and Planning Study February 2015 Submitted to Lower Merion Township Prepared by Michael Baker International – Philadelphia and Horsham, PA With support from Toole Design Group Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Special Thanks ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Schuylkill River Trail .................................................................................................................................. 4 Goals ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Meetings ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Connelly Tract ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Riverfront .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Challenges ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Opportunities .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Property Ownership ................................................................................................................................ 13 Alignment Options ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 22 Constructability ....................................................................................................................................... 23 Landscaping............................................................................................................................................. 27 Project Features ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Safety ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Implementation Strategies ......................................................................................................................... 37 Cost Estimate and Funding ..................................................................................................................... 38 Funding Opportunities: .......................................................................................................................... 40 Timeline................................................................................................................................................... 42 Recommended Grant Applications ......................................................................................................... 42 Maintenance ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Rules ........................................................................................................................................................ 44 Appendix A. Cost Estimate B. Existing Structures Evaluation C. Meeting Minutes Page 2 Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study Acknowledgements Michael Baker International would like to thank the following representatives for their time and effort in assisting with this study. Study Committee Barrett Dunigan, Friends of the Cynwyd Trail Kitty Rapalyea, Friends of the Cynwyd Trail Scott Zelov, Lower Merion Township Commissioner David DeAnglis, Lower Merion Township Parks and Recreation Dept. George Manos, Lower Merion Township Commissioner Bill Cook, Lower Merion Township Resident Donna Heller, Lower Merion Township Parks and Recreation Dept. Chris Leswing, Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Liz Gabor, O’Neill Properties Lindsay Taylor, Lower Merion Township Parks and Recreation Dept. Study Consultants Chris Stanford, PE, PMP,PTOE, Michael Baker International Sara Patterson, Ph.D., LEED AP, Michael Baker International Bryan Spangler, PE, Michael Baker International Cassie Caloe, Toole Design Group Special Thanks This project was financed in part by a grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Regional Trails Program. Additional appreciation is due to Lower Merion Township Commissioners and staff for their support of this study. Page 3 Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study Introduction The purpose of the study is to conduct a feasibility study and develop a master plan for the Cynwyd Spur Trail, which is part of the 37-acre Cynwyd Heritage Trail greenway. The plan will suggest innovative creation of passive open space, including providing emergency access, constructing multi-purpose trails that will link the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail, address management issues and consider recommendations contained in the Cynwyd Heritage Trail Master Plan. Schuylkill River Trail The Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) is a multi-use recreational path following the Schuylkill River and stretching 128 miles from the southernmost foothills of the Appalachians to tidal lands in Philadelphia. As a regional connector knitting together four counties and numerous communities, it is a strong driver of heritage and recreation tourism. Poised to become the region’s first green transportation corridor, the SRT is increasingly utilized by commuters as an alternative transportation route in some urban areas. In Philadelphia and its suburbs, “demand” for the trail has markedly increased with 670,000 people using the SRT last year and with bicycle traffic on the trail doubling in the last year alone. Stakeholders and planners alike see the trail connecting business districts, transit options, parks, green space, and other communities up and down the trail. Figure 1 - SRT Map, http://www.schuylkillrivertrail.com/ Page 4 Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study Figure 2 - Status of SRT Projects The SRT currently parallels the east side of the Schuylkill River partially on-road on Main Street, Manayunk, and partially as a soft-surface trail on the old towpath alignment. With the completion of this trail in addition to two other projects that are currently in construction, the SRT will be a completely off road, paved, trail across the Manayunk Bridge, on the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and Cynwyd Spur, and then through a private development across the Pencoyd Bridge. The developer of the private property, O’Neill Properties, is currently completing a 10’-12’ wide paved trail along their riverfront, rehabilitating the Pencoyd Bridge and adding pedestrian facilities. Goals There are a number of goals for this project, listed in order of importance, that were considered in the development of this study: 1. Close the gap in the Schuylkill River Trail 2. Create a regional transportation connection that supports new development as outlined in the Township Comprehensive Plan 3. Connect to SEPTA Ivy Ridge Station, Wissahickon Transportation Center and Cynwyd Station 4. Provide access to natural areas and access to the river 5. Create walking and bicycling connections to Manayunk, East Falls, Wissahickon Trails, River Trails, Fairmount Park, Forbidden Drive Trail Many of the goals are complementary, but some require balancing needs of a number of different stakeholders. Page 5 Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study Scope The scope of the study includes the following tasks: Existing site analysis Planning alternatives analysis Preliminary trail plan/recommendations Public meetings Master Plan for Cynwyd Spur Trail Financial feasibility Implementation plan This study will summarize the results of the investigation completed as well as recommendations for advancing the completion of this trail connection. Meetings The following table explains meetings that were held as part of this study. Refer to Appendix C for a detailed summary of each meeting and all meeting documents. Date Meeting Topic November 18, 2013 Kickoff Meeting Discuss scope and responsibilities January 24, 2014 Steering Committee Meeting Preliminary alignments and feasibility March 6, 2014 Public Meeting Design workshop and public involvement April 30, 2014 Schuylkill River Trail Coordination Discuss primary route for SRT July 16, 2014 PennDOT Coordination Easement feasibility, PUC involvement October 3, 2014 Steering Committee Feedback